(22 June 2017) The reconstruction of the sixteenth-century Chapel of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary – a symbol of the centuries-old Italian presence in Bohemia- which has remained closed over the past decades, in degradation. The positive outcome of the restoration is owed to the Minister of Culture and Activities, Dario Franceschini’s presence in Prague for the presentation ceremony along with his Czech counterpart Daniel Herman, Cardinal Dominik Duka, Archbishop of Prague, the Mayor of Prague 1, Holdrich Lomecky, and other authorities including the exarch of the Catholic Church, Ladislav Hucko, and the Maeci General Director for Administration, Computing, and Communications, Eduardo Brunetti. “With its recovery after decades of abandonment, the Chapel of the Italians returns to its ancient splendour and shortly returns to host new activities” said the Italian ambassador in Prague Aldo Amati “thanks to all those who contributed to restore its prestige and vitality to a jewel of Renaissance mannerism, a tangible expression of the secular relationships of friendship that bind the Italian people to the Czech” concluded the diplomat. Vlasska kaple, also known as the “Chapel of the Italians”, is a property owned by the Italian state whose construction dates back to the sixteenth century for the Italian community in Prague, which was already very numerous at the time. Connected to the complex of Klementinum, the antique Jesuit College now home to the National Library, the chapel is located in Karlova Street, in the Old Town, just across the bridge from Charles Bridge. The state of progress of the restoration work of Vlasska kaple is held in conjunction with the 400th anniversary of the consecration of the Baroque church of San Carlo Borromeo, another symbol of Italian presence in Prague, located on the left bank of the Vltava, in the Mala Strana neighbourhood, in the architectural complex where the Italian Institute of Culture is now based. The Italian Institute of Culture, as announced by Director Giovanni Sciola during a meeting with the press, will host the second phase of Minister Franceschini’s visit for the opening of the exhibition “The Italian Congregation in Prague. A Secular History “, where precious archival documents will be presented for the first time to the public. (Red)
